COPD & Emphysema Support Group

COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...

936 Members

10,879 Posts

0 Online

roepete 08/05/2009

Morning - I have recently been put on oxygen (and haven't realized how much I don't know about it) - I am on 1 lpm at night and 2 when exercising.

I tried wwalking a track the other day and noticed I still get out of breath. Not as much be still there's that shortness of breath. I raised it to you - a little better now my question today is when walking outside while using oxygen should I now be walking normally (before my emphysema showed its ugly head) or will I always have problems walking a long distance.

thanks guys for all your help
Roe

deleted_user 08/05/2009

Thats a great question Roe....For me it changes with the wind so to speak...Some days I can go further then others without shortness of breath...Other days its real bad regardless of what I do...It confuses me and I waste a lot of time seeking some sort of pattern....There just doesn't seem to be one...Whatever the day brings I have learned that is what I will deal with as they come....Hopefully someone else can be more helpful....Hugs.
Love and Blessings, Serenity

deleted_user 08/05/2009

When I am outside walking if it is hot and humid (as it seems to be all the time now in south florida) I am s.o.b.......can't wait until fall comes. xoxox katie

Ohana 08/05/2009

I can now walk 1/4 mile without O2 ... BUT, I had to learn to slow down & practice good breathing techniques. This is where I really use my pulse oximeter....not as much anymore.
Aerobic workouts are a part of my day & I don't even try for them ! LOL

ldozy1 08/05/2009

Like Serenity- for me it's variable. Some day's no problem, some day's I can't even get dressed without oxygen. Weather plays a big part- pollution levels, inclines, trying to carry anything, its all variable.
I just always have it available and go from there.
I still think we need some one to invent a regulator built into our cannula's that adjusts the Fi02 according to our sats at the moment......would take the guess work out!

deleted_user 08/05/2009

i'm with serenity with the ever changing ability to do things. and i think idozy has a good idea! where's the inventer? even if the cannula had a valve for US to adjust to our needs!

as to roe...make sure you exercise to make the muscles work the best they can. that helps, usually.

margaret (i use o2 , all the time)

roepete 08/06/2009

thanks guys for all your comments - I have an appt next week for another LVRS consultation - if I learn anything new I will certainly share it with you.

have a great day
Roe

Join the Conversation